'Step into Nature' opens an eye on the wealth of flora and fauna that surrounds us

“'Step into Nature' is an inspiring account of direct encounter with the everyday flora and fauna we can all see for ourselves with our own eyes, once we learn to stop and look, an experience enriching beyond anything we can see on our screens, in the only corner of the world we can actually engage with and preserve for future generations,” said John Feehan when launching Rachel McKenna's new book 'Step into Nature' last week.

The book is a 'Chronicle of Irish Nature through the year' and gives a week by week outline of what to look out for all around throughout the year.

“It is set out as a weekly diary to provide a chronological view of some of the finds that we can hope to look out for in the weeks and months ahead each year. It covers the flora and fauna that we can hope to find within our gardens or on local walks,” Rachel explained.

The launch took place at Gloster House is Brosna and Tom Alexander welcomed everyone on behalf of himself and his wife Mary to Gloster House and said they were honoured to host the launch of Rachel McKenna's latest publication.

Amanda Pedlow, Heritage Office with Offaly County Council, was MC for the occasion. She noted that we are now on the fifth Heritage Plan for the county “and any time we go out and do public consultations people say to us will you keep doing good quality publications and I think it is something Offaly has become known for over the years. We do put a lot of energy into the publications that we do and when you see a book like Step Into Nature, it is high quality, it is beautiful to have in the hand and we couldn't have done that without the funding from the Heritage Council towards the publication to get it to the publication that it is. Very early on when Rachel showed me a draft of the book, I knew it was a book of national interest. People throughout the country can pick this up and read about it and see what's happening. It's important to acknowledge that Rachel has donated her work. She took photographs, she designed the book, she did the illustrations, everything,” she said.

Tony McCormack, Cathaoirleach Offaly County Council, said “the Offaly Heritage Plan 2023-2027 is clear in its role to support good quality publications and we appreciate the Heritage Council and the County Heritage Plan funding contribution towards the publication of this book. We would like to welcome and acknowledge Catherine Casey, Head of Climate Change with the Heritage Council for being with us here today. The appointment of Ricky Whelan in 2023 as Biodiversity Officer for Offaly County Council demonstrates the commitment of both the County Council and the Heritage Council to resource biodiversity expertise for the Council and the county.

“We are looking forward to the adoption of the Biodiversity Action Plan for Offaly in the near future. This will strengthen and deepen the work done in this area through the previous heritage plan.”

He noted that Rachel had three previous publications, which he said were more in line with her role in Offaly County Council as a Grade 1 Conservation Architect but this book is based on her work outside the Council, which she has brought together in the most digestible of publications.

“The observations featured are largely Offaly based and I understand that during the course of her research, Rachel recorded a considerable number of county firsts with the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

“'Step Into Nature' is a real celebration of nature. When nature and biodiversity is under such pressure that species such as the curlew, hen harrier and native ash are struggling and we are facing challenging times ahead, a book like this can inform, bring us joy and increases our awareness of the wealth of life around us,” Cllr McCormack said.

Guest speaker John Feehan said “When I was growing up in Birr in my pre-teen years, the only book on 'nature' in the local library was a book on birds, which I must have read dozens of times, and which is why birds were the main focus of our attention during the time we spent in the fields.

“And the first book on flowers I was able to borrow (during my first year away from home in boarding school) was the Observers Book of Wild Flowers, at the end of which there is a selection of orchids, including the marvellous bee orchid. And when at the start of the summer holidays that year I found two bee orchids in a small sandpit between Clonoghill Lane and the Camcor, a window opened for me on a different world, a world I never suspected to exist on my own Birr doorstep.

“One of the first things to strike me as I reflect on what Rachel has given us is what a difference it would have made for someone like myself at that age back then, to step into Nature through the pages of a book like this, packed with narrow windows through which the wonder not only of exotic orchids and other flowers peep on every page, but of plants and animals across the entire taxonomic range. And where if you step through any of those windows there is a hand of the other wide to take yours and lead you away.

“In her book Rachel joins a long succession of observers of nature whose gift of communicating the thrill of their experience is matched by their skilled use of the English languare. Many of these have adopted the calendar as the template for their observations, among them Edward Step, whose name – echoed in the title of Rachel's new book – reflects her acquaintance with all these forebears. An extraordinary difference between Rachel and all her literary mentors, however, is that their nature calendars are the work of a lifetime, whereas she fills her pages with the crowded encounters of only a few years, and the ambition of her taxonomic reach has few parallels, even among the greatest chroniclers of nature through the year.

“Rachel writes in a direct, simple style that makes what she describes accessible to the widest range of readers, avoiding the technical language that so often smothers the excitement of discovery. And her words are balanced by pictures that are sometimes stunning, not only her photographs, but the accompanying artwork. A nature diary with such scope and with such a wide appeal is almost unique. It its pages it conveys the excitement of first encounters with a cross section of the amazing plants and animals that are to be found just over the threshold of our everyday lives. It will appeal as much to experienced naturalists – few of whom cast their taxonomic nets of discovery so widely – as it will open doors for a new generation of neophyte naturalists.

“How things have changed for any would be young (or not so young) naturalist in my own lifetime. On the one hand there is so much readily available information and help today. Rachel is part of a network that provides access to the expertise of experts in many taxonomic groups, a network that extends as need and opportunity require, and there is now a burgeoning literature, for our part of the world more than any other. There are now beautifully illustrated user friendly guide books for just about any group of plants or animals you can think of. It's an eye opener to compare what is available today to someone who would like to get started on small moths, mosses, spiders or anything else with the highly technical poorly illustrated manuals available say 60 years ago.'

He said Rachel describes “this first diary into print as her 'personal awakening and appreciation of the astounding beauty of nature around us'.”

Referring to the digital lure of the internet he said “Michael Viney put his finger on the pulse of this change a few years ago when he wrote that children at school are excited by and interested in growing things in the school garden and seeing the plants and animals they encounter there, until they get their first smartphone,” he concluded.

Rachel McKenna extended sincere thanks to Tom and Mary Alexander for hosting the event in the magnificent surroundings of Gloster House and “we are so very fortunate that they undertook the guardianship of this property, and it has been truly incredible to witness their hard work and determination over the last number of years towards the restoration of this wonderful property.

“The big question this afternoon is why is an architect producing a book about nature and that is a question I asked myself many times last year while trying to complete it. As John mentioned it really is a personal awakening and appreciation to the outstanding beauty and complexity of nature around us.

“Thanks to my own family and I have my Mum here, and to my husband and children, and to Grainne for extra assistance with the cover. Many thanks to Amanda Pedlow, our Heritage Officer, who has been positive, practical and confident about this project from the very outset.

“To John Feehan for the launch, for his lovely words and for his very thoughful foreword in the book and his capacity to share his outstanding knowledge via his books, YouTube videos or at his Summer Schools. For myself and so many others he has forever opened a window onto the incredible intricacies and delicacies of nature.”

She thanked all those who had helped reading drafts and offering their expertise. She said it was an important accomplishment to have the book entirely produced and printed in Ireland.

“The book itself is based on superb publications of 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, a book which fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. Edward Step had a wide range from dealing with specific topics to broader pocket guides covering flora and fauna as they appeared throughout the year. This book seeks to emulate that publication but in an Irish context. And while predominantly set in Offaly, most of the highlighted species can be found throughout Ireland. Each plant or insect was recorded on the National Biodiversity Data Centre, which is linked to national monitoring, and my own records over the last five years were used to compile the book.

“Worldwide we are witnessing catastrophic biodiversity losses. We must pay attention to what is around us, record it and tell others and what at all possible make efforts to increase biodiversity in our gardens, workplace, schools or communities. Each day provides us with the opportunity to listen to the voice of nature, which will reconnect us and fill us with a sense of fulfilment. By simply slowing down, listening and observing we can discover miniature wonders of nature, wonders that fill us with awe or those that are so beautiful that the memory stays with you long after the season fades. Each discovery is a small triumph and such encounters have extraordinary potency, even compulsive, it has been mentioned. So throughout this process I have discovered that a walk in nature, of whatever duration, allows time for the soul to breathe,” Rachel added.